When the Game Stands Tall Page #8

---

Derrick Jones makes

an unbelievable fingertip catch...

...at the Spartans' four-yard line

as 15,000 fans go crazy.

With 1:
02 left in the game,

Long Beach Poly has a first down...

- ...on De La Salle's four-yard line.

- Hold them.

Blue 32. Blue 37.

Set, hut!

Tayshon Lanear with a monster hit

on first down.

- Textbook!

- This kid has played a terrific game...

- ...in his first start.

- Double-tight rocket special. Go.

Looks like Foster is injured on the play

as he limps off the field.

You're in that corner for Foster.

That ball goes up, come down with it.

Okay.

Pulling out all the stops, Lara is sending

in sophomore fullback Jason Knight.

At 257 pounds, this kid is bigger

than most pro running backs.

Bang them. Do not let them score.

Blue 72. Set, hut!

Pass! Pass! Pass!

Yes!

Wow, what a save.

The tight end was open

in the end zone...

...but Danny Ladouceur comes out

of nowhere...

- ...to make a huge play.

- All right.

- Watch the sweep.

- Break for 22.

Set, hut!

Spartan linebacker Davis makes another

big stop, but Chris Ryan is down.

This would be a huge loss

for De La Salle.

- Let me see. Let me see.

- Get away.

Get out. Get out, come on.

Only way I'm going out of this game

is on a stretcher.

- All right, hold on.

- Fourth and goal, folks.

This game has come down

to one play.

A critical play, not just for the game,

but for the rest of the Spartans' season.

Poly lines up in a Power I.

Green 37. Green 37.

Down.

Forty back. Watch out for 2.

Come on, D. Come on, D.

Yeah! Yeah!

Yeah, Spartans! Let's go!

De La Salle started their season O and 2

and lost their win streak...

...but have come back

to stun the football world...

...by knocking off the number-one

rated team in the country.

Folks, I have played football

and gone home exhausted...

...I have broadcast games

and gone home elated...

...but today, I go home inspired.

The De La Salle Spartans

have a new lease on life...

...as they go into league games

in Northern California.

Hey, coach. Coach Ladouceur.

Can I get a comment?

Danny.

- Hey.

- Hey, Dad.

You made a heck of a play

on second down.

You saved the game.

Thanks, coach.

Yeah!

Fantastic. Everyone looks great.

Tonight, the feeling is electric.

The team's rolling up right now,

it couldn't be more exciting.

This is what these people...

...have been waiting for.

Tayshon, come on.

- Beaser, take that sign down.

- Yes, sir.

Come on, buddy.

Don't be shy, chat with us.

Hey, man, take it down.

How does it feel to go from being

the biggest loser to the biggest winner?

- t's great.

- Great?

Dude, you are on your way

to a new streak!

No, no.

Streak!

Our goal is to go out

and give the perfect effort on every play.

Perfect effort? The secret?

But we a team, and Chris Ryan is like-

ls dope, no doubt,

but, look, man, you are a star.

You're the man who's gonna lead DLS

to the next what?

- The next what?

- Streak!

Streak! Streak! Streak!

Another streak, baby!

Yes! One hundred and fifty games!

- Streak! Streak! Streak!

- Let's go.

Streak! Streak! Streak!

Streak! Streak! Streak!

There he goes!

Growing up is tough.

It's not easy.

That's what our program's about.

It ain't about the football.

It ain't about scoring the touchdowns.

It's about moving you...

- ...in a direction that can help you grow up.

- And forgive us for our trespasses...

So when you take your place

out in the world...

...or out in our community,

you can be depended on.

You guys are rock stars!

Great game, Chris!

- Hey, streak 2.0!

- It's a streak, man.

Faculty housing is also subsidized.

What's the offer?

Three hundred fifty thousand.

Three years. Firm.

Performance bonus. Car.

Stanford sees you

as a valuable investment.

Hey, coach. Great game Friday.

Three more touchdowns for the Beast.

Yeah, he played well.

- Whole team did.

- Hey, Chris!

Over here! Hi!

What's up?

Get ready to break that scoring record.

Got a place for the trophy

all picked out.

- Hey, Mickey?

- Yeah?

Did Chris show you the thesis he wrote

for my class on Matthew 23:12?

Amazingly insightful

for someone his age.

Really terrific. You should read it.

Matthew 23:
12? Seriously?

What's he talking about?

We're on our way to a championship,

a state record.

Those who exalt themselves

will be humbled...

...those who humble themselves

will be exalted.

- Exalted?

- Yeah.

You get 37 touchdowns in the season,

then you'll be exalted.

Do you realize what winning this record

is gonna mean for you? For your life?

Do you have any idea

how people are gonna look at you?

How they're gonna respect you?

Breaking this record,

you'll have something...

...that nobody can ever take from you.

Nobody.

That's why I push you so hard.

It's not about me, it's about you.

You're a salesman, Dad.

I'm a what?

You sell cars.

Don't try and sell me.

This is for you.

I'm just another one of your trophies

you keep in your case.

Like all the medals you've been collecting

to show everybody when they walk in.

I am sick of it.

What are you trying to say?

You don't want this record?

What do you care?

It's always about what you want!

You little punk.

Don't you ever talk to me like that!

While you live in my house,

you will do as I say...

...and you will show me the respect

I deserve! You understand me?

Now you tell me

with that mouth of yours...

...you promise me that you'll go out

and get me that record.

Promise me, Chris.

Okay.

No, Chris.

I wanna hear you say it. Say it!

I promise I'll get you that record, Dad!

Attaboy.

And in local sports, we toss it to Jim,

who's standing by at De La Salle high.

De La Salle Spartans pulled off

one of the greatest comebacks in sports.

After a devastating opening...

...they're poised

to compete for their 13th championship.

Dad, look.

It's about the championship game.

All around me and very excited

are the new generation of Spartans.

- What grade are you guys in?

- Sophomores, play on the JV.

You're riding a nine-game streak.

What do you think about that?

If we go undefeated

in our junior- and senior-year season...

...we're gonna push this streak

to 33 games in a row.

Thirty-three, 33, 33!

Thirty-three games in a row.

- Thirty-three, 33, 33!

- Back to you.

Thirty-three, 33, 33!

Bob?

Hey, you.

Yeah, I couldn't sleep.

Are you seriously considering that?

You know, when we started this

25 years ago...

...there was no Internet.

No high-school football on TV.

Not every kid alive was a celebrity.

It's all changed now.

Maybe the kids have changed too.

All the things I've taught

and believed in.

I don't know

if I'm still doing much good here.

I better get some sleep.

Is this mine?

Who else's would it be?

Of course it's yours.

How do I look?

- Real cool, man. Real cool.

- Thank you.

- Oh, my gosh. Okay, I'm dying, I'm dying.

- Thank you again.

Get dressed. Let's go to the game.

De La Salle staged

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes